What is the difference between silk and silk-feel polyester in the hand?
Silk feels cool, fluid and gains lustre with wear, while silk-feel polyester is warmer, springier and must be labelled polyester
In the hand, silk feels cool and fluid and drapes close to the body, while silk-feel polyester feels warmer, slightly springier and holds a rounder fold.
Touch - silk has a dry, smooth handle that warms quickly against the skin. Polyester has a slicker, more uniform surface and can feel clammy in heat.
Wear and ageing - silk softens and develops lustre with use, but is more delicate and needs care. Polyester keeps its appearance longer, resists creasing and is easier to wash, but does not develop the same depth of colour or sheen.
Labelling - silk-feel polyester must always be labelled as polyester, never as silk. We label it as polyester on every order, and the same rule applies to your own retail label.
Price positioning - polyester sits below silk and is used for volume, promotional and travel ranges. Silk supports a higher retail price and is sold on fibre content and hand-feel.
Both are available, and the choice is a commercial one about your price point and your customer's expectations.
Related: How much do silk scarves cost at wholesale · Do silk scarves wrinkle easily · Why is silk more expensive than polyester
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